Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-01-30

/ IN
she Immediately sent me a letter so precise,
sensible, and brief that it was like u docu-
ment of state, and would not do discredit
to an ambassadors budget. | shall merely
put the story of her life as she wrote 1T IN
the third person, because madame IS very
modest, and now and then | might like to
fill in some little hiatus in my own way.
Mathilde de Castrom was born in Frank
fort-on-the-Main, and sung before she was
4 years old. In the boarding school to
which she was sent her talent evoked great
wonder, and, much to the disgust of other
clever children, to her alone were contided
all the singing solos. At the age OF 10 her
father lost his fortune, and she was sent on
a visit to al aunt living in Vienns, Nine.
Ertmann, wife of the celebrated Field
Marshal Ertmann, herself a celebrated
amateur pianist, pupil of Beethoven, aud
the remarkable woman so often referred to
in the memoirs of the great composer.
Mile. de CastrOm studied singing as an
amateur a year in the Austrian capital I'M
der the opera capelmeister, NicOlai, author
of the charming score. "The Merry Wives
of Windsor" About that time the young
SINCE heard Alboni, Viardot, and TadOlini,
and became so enthusiastic that she imme-
diately fought and made the acquaintance
of Pauline Viardot, who
ADVISED E TO STUDY SINGING
with her brother, Manuel Garcia, then re-
siding in Paris. Her parents refused her
means to do this, being absolutely set
against of their family becoming an artist.
Nine. de CastrOm then returned to Frank
fort, where she gave singing lessons in
order to gain the wherewith necessary for
the coveted studies in the French capital.
At Frankfort she made the acquaintance of
MendelssOhn, who became deeply inter
ested in her exceptional talents, and who
made her publicly sing all his compositions
and henceforward declared himself her
friend and protector. lie always spoke
of her rs one remarkably gifted among
women, and declared that no one sang his
music in the perfection she did; he never
tired of listening to and encouraging her.
After q year and and q hall of teaching at
Frankfort she had the necessary sum- came
to France with some family friends, and
there studied with Garcia four consecutive
years. Here | quote verbatim from the
original letter: II owe Manuel Garcia all
my talent" All? That is not quite true.
But to resume: She began studying for
from Rachels unique teacher, the celebrat-
ed Samson. In lSl9 she commenced her
artistic career, singing three seasons in
O%ratOriO and concert in London, with the
most magnificent success. Her parents
still prohibited her from going on the stage.
In the winter she sang with immense good
fortune in the famous GewandhauS con-
ccrtS at Leipsic, in Bremen, Weimar, and
Frankfort; in fact, all over Germany, the
Netherlands, etc. List, like MendelssOhn.
became her devoted admirer and friend.
Now comes the break in the musical
part Of her career. You see, Mathilde de
CastrOm was an artist, hut above all 4
woman, so she fell in love, and in 1852 at
Frankfort married u handsome young
Salvatore de MarcheSi, Marquis della
Rnjata, whom she had met in London,
where he had exiled himself in order TO
study singing with Garcia. For family
reasons he had taken the name of Marchesi,
and to this day madame is known more by
that distinct on than as the Marchesa della
Hajata. The MarcheSis went to Florence
in 1853, and there became great friends
with the ROssinis. In errara the marquiSe
kept up her music, but only to sing cradle
songs. In 1854 cholera sent them out of
Italy with their infant, Theresa. They
went to VIENNA, where q week later
madame was engaged as first professor at
the great conservatory. During her stay
at this renowned school, seven years, she
sent forth to the world some of the greatest
artists this epoch has knOwn-Mme.
Gabrielle krauS, Nine. FriCci, Carolina
DOry, and llmas di MurSka. Another
daughter, Stella, was born in Vienna, and
in time other children followed, most of
whom died in youth. Blanche, born in
Paris, a most gifted child, to-day is Nine.
Ia BarOnne Pepper, of Vienna.
Auber wanted Nine. MarcheSi to be n
professor in the Paris conservatory, but she
refused, having her own individual
method, and not wishing to adopt that of
the Paris and art school. During Il four
years residence in the French capital, NJ.
and Nine. MarcheSi sang constantly in
public at historical concerts, principally
to develop the taste for
MUSIC OF THE EARLY SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY.
These concerts were repeated in England,
Holland, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Ger
many. At last tired nature gave way,
and the marquiSe fell very i'll. She had
scarcely time for that, however, and at F.
Killers inStigatiOn, still ailing, went to
Cologne, and began again the old treadmill
work, work, work. From thence she
was called back to Wilma, where she re-
manned thirteen years Is head professor of
singing, rs before. 1t was there i first
knew her; and remember about n hundred
Young women, from every country and
clime-RuSSianS, Americans, HungarianS,
and Notwithstanding a hundred birdlike
voices through the great rooms.
One night she gave n great party, on her
namesake's day, the fete of Ste. Mathilde,
and all Vienna seemed present.
We went early-a lady, q gentleman and
mySelG-and Just as we reached an ante
chamber noticed a dear little fair Ameri-
can, who sat wide-yCd and anxious in a
deep chair, evidently awaiting someone.
When my lady friend appeared she eyed
her hungrily, and, as We passed, seized my
hand:
Introduce me, she murmured. Nov;
this minute. Do! All my life l have
been dying to know her"
Nothing could be easier, " | said. Then
we stopped, and the introduction took
place.
The lady was Christine Nilsson, the lit
tie American Emma Nevada.
MarchcSi used to say in those days: 81
am teaching a California nightingale. Her
musical intelligence is a gift, her voice n
treasure. 1t runs way up TO G in alt, just
as clear rs n flute, " etc.
The madame always raved over little
Emma Wixom; but as she is now most
worthily a great celebrity, | don't need to
repeat any more of the teachers praise.
During those thirteen years at Vienna
Anna d'Angeri. Smeroschi. Tremelli,
Etclka GerSter, Carolne Salla, Minnie
Walter, and a dozen other stars left the
MarcheSa's armament To shine in new
worlds of song